30 Years for Wild Carnivores

By Lisa Upson

This year, 2022, marks P&C’s 30th year working to protect wild carnivores. The group was incorporated in 1992, before wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone. At its founding, the organization was called Predator Project and despite three name changes over the years (to Predator Conservation Alliance, then Keystone Conservation, and to People and Carnivores in 2015), we have always worked to conserve predator species. Along the way, there was a prairie predator program (prairie dogs, black-footed ferrets, and a forest carnivore program (martens, wolverines, fisher, and lynx). Wolves, bears, and lions have always been at the heart of the mission. 

While this year’s milestone is an achievement for the organization, this is a challenging time for wildlife. Last year, Northern Rockies state legislatures passed several laws designed to reduce wolf populations and expand the hunting of other carnivores. Hundreds of wolves have been killed in the region this winter, including many Yellowstone wolves that wandered onto private lands outside the park. The recent policy changes are a step backwards and not what most people want. In times like these, progress can feel slow. But by preventing conflicts, we have helped wolves travel into neighboring states and expand their range. Grizzlies are closer than ever to recolonizing historic habitat in central Idaho. We are making gains for wild carnivores and conflict prevention continues to be a promising conservation solution. 

Dr. Adrian Treves, Founder and Director of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab at the University of Wisconsin

As part of marking this milestone, we asked Dr. Adrian Treves, Founder and Director of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab at the University of Wisconsin, to share a “state of coexistence” perspective with us. Treves’ research related to predator ecology and large carnivore coexistence is world renowned. We asked him to answer a few questions about coexistence today. You can read the interview with Dr. Treves here. And view more about the 30 years People and Carnivores has been protecting wild carnivores here.